Ready to jump into Esprit ownership

[geopetrolhead]

I'm looking for S4 Esprit, I have two options, S4S and V8, I have not driven either and I just don't know what to go for!? I have 35k £££ and I have my eye on an S4S, and a few V8's, Any suggestions or advice, I know a proper lotus is a 4 pot, but the thought of having a 4 pot supercar is putting me off. On the other hand the horror stories of the expense of maintaining a V8 is putting me off. What to do 🙄

[phumy]

If you just think about the horror stories of the V8 then you`ll never buy one, look for one that has had all the problems "ironed out" but then one like that will reflect in the price and you don't want to pay the going price of a sorted one, you`re in a catch 22 with yourself. I bought a 1996 V8 just over 2 years ago for £19k, I had to put new brakes, Cats and an exhaust on it, it probably cost me around £2.5k for that work. I sold it for £29k about 14 months later as someone was biting my hand off to own it. The longer you leave it the value will run away from you.

I don't know much about the 4 pots, all I can say I had a great 14 months in the V8 and it never let me down once. If you do get a V8 I have a load of spares that I had stocked up on just in case and still have them, all original Lotus spares too (new).

[geopetrolhead]

Thank so for the Reply, I will post back here what I went for in the end

[gareth h]

I don't know much about them, but had by Elise serviced at Esprit engineering in Downton, the guys there are a font of knowledge, I'd suggest giving them a call.

[splodge s4]

gareth h said:

I don't know much about them, but had by Elise serviced at Esprit engineering in Downton, the guys there are a font of knowledge, I'd suggest giving them a call.

Yup, Geoff has done everything on my Esprit over the 16 years of ownership, never go anywhere else.

[Purso]

I have had 2 v8s and never had any issues barring servicing super reliable, I think the old wives tales do get embellished a bit!

[Hedgerley]

Conversely I've had two V8s - the first, a '98 GT, was an absolute money pit. Had it for two and a half years, put 20k miles on it before writing it off on black ice. Paid £15k (2005) and spent £17k keeping it on the road. Some of that was cosmetic and of course routine servicing of course, but I reckon some £12k was major items like sheared head bolts, cracked manifold, new gearbox (busted 5th gear), new radiators and all the oil pipes, knackered turbos, waste gates. The list went on and on.

Second, a 2001 GT, has been an absolute peach and still is. Had it for 9 years and apart from weeping oil radiator junctions, a couple of new turbos and sundry bits and pieces, rotted cats and back box for example, nothing major has failed. Its still on its original clutch (82k miles) and most of the money has been spent on upgraded brakes, re-furbed seats, wheels and other cosmetic bits and bobs. One year, the only thing I needed between servicing/MOTs was a couple of rear tyres. The last A service and MOT was £209.21 with nothing spent since the previous one, 12 months and 6k miles earlier. Hopefully it will be the same this September.

Best to stick with the Esprit community and go see a few, talk to us on TLF, do your research. If you find a good one, be prepared to pay a bit more, but it will pay off in the long run. And as soon you head out to the hills, you'll forget about the money anyway!!!

Or get an S4S........

[geopetrolhead]

Hedgerley said:

Conversely I've had two V8s - the first, a '98 GT, was an absolute money pit. Had it for two and a half years, put 20k miles on it before writing it off on black ice. Paid £15k (2005) and spent £17k keeping it on the road. Some of that was cosmetic and of course routine servicing of course, but I reckon some £12k was major items like sheared head bolts, cracked manifold, new gearbox (busted 5th gear), new radiators and all the oil pipes, knackered turbos, waste gates. The list went on and on.

Second, a 2001 GT, has been an absolute peach and still is. Had it for 9 years and apart from weeping oil radiator junctions, a couple of new turbos and sundry bits and pieces, rotted cats and back box for example, nothing major has failed. Its still on its original clutch (82k miles) and most of the money has been spent on upgraded brakes, re-furbed seats, wheels and other cosmetic bits and bobs. One year, the only thing I needed between servicing/MOTs was a couple of rear tyres. The last A service and MOT was £209.21 with nothing spent since the previous one, 12 months and 6k miles earlier. Hopefully it will be the same this September.

Best to stick with the Esprit community and go see a few, talk to us on TLF, do your research. If you find a good one, be prepared to pay a bit more, but it will pay off in the long run. And as soon you head out to the hills, you'll forget about the money anyway!!!

Or get an S4S........

Everyone goes on about S4S but how good and reliable is it really ? Compared to rest?

[Hedgerley]

I've no detailed knowledge but an assumption that, whilst similar things can and do go wrong, fixing a 4-pot is going to be much easier/cheaper than a V8. Routine servicing is likely to be cheaper as well.

I direct most folk to Lotus Esprit World where there is a wealth of information, model history, cars for sale, recommended dealers, parts etc. This would be a good place to start -

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/buying.html

And as I said post your query in the Esprit Forum on TLF (which started life as LEF as it happens...) There's a wealth of knowledge and experience there and someone be along to comment I'm sure. Most of us have offered viewings/rides and a phone number to help new buyers out.

[Le TVR]

If you visit LEW, I have listed all the costs of V8 for 10 Years of ownership (still have it):

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOwners/PeteHizzey...

edit to add:
There are a few high cost item to look out for on V8s so look for recent change:

Oil+coolant feeds to the turbos,
recon turbos,
All 3 oil hoses from motor to coolers
Front discs (on 2002+ models)
And of course the twin plate clutch

each is a 4 figure service job.

Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 2nd August 18:48

Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 2nd August 18:53

[geopetrolhead]

That is a stunning example! I love it, You really needn't be so scared with F355 ownership though, I have one and if you buy a good one it's a joy to own, probably much like the ESPRIT.

Le TVR said:

If you visit LEW, I have listed all the costs of V8 for 10 Years of ownership (still have it):

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOwners/PeteHizzey...

edit to add:
There are a few high cost item to look out for on V8s so look for recent change:

Oil+coolant feeds to the turbos,
recon turbos,
All 3 oil hoses from motor to coolers
Front discs (on 2002+ models)
And of course the twin plate clutch

each is a 4 figure service job.

Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 2nd August 18:48

Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 2nd August 18:53